Helmet with visual shock indicator

ABSTRACT

A visual shock indicator apparatus includes a helmet, a facemask secured to the helmet, and a mounting element secured to the helmet. The mounting element has a mounting region disposed between a pair of attachment points used to secure the facemask to the helmet. A retainer assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the mounting element within the mounting region. The retainer assembly includes a shock indicator configured to provide a visual indication of receipt of a predetermined level of a shock event.

BACKGROUND

Head injuries in contact sports with helmets (e.g. football, lacrosse and hockey) are becoming more prevalent. Part of the reason for head injuries in such contact sports is that helmets can provide a false sense of security while also being used offensively. Using one's head when tackling can be dangerous because when a helmet hits another helmet, another part of a person, or the ground, the impact can be passed on to the wearer's head. The helmet is good at distributing the force around the head and shoulders of the wearer so that the force is not focused entirely at the point of contact, but the bulk of the overall force does impact the head of the wearer, which can cause a concussion. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused from a blow to the head or body that causes translational (linear front-to-back, side-to-side) or rotational (angular) movement of the brain within the skull. When this occurs, there is stretching of the brain that damages the cells and creates chemical changes in the brain. Once these changes occur, the brain is more vulnerable to further injury and is sensitive to any increased stress until it fully recovers. Because one can't visually see the damage to the brain caused by the concussion, and because it is important to prevent future damage to the brain, it is crucially important to be able to diagnose potential head injuries in real time, even in cases where the injury isn't necessarily obvious to the casual observer or a medical professional following a concussion diagnosis protocol.

In some sports leagues, there are concussion protocols and monitoring by doctors that attempt, with mixed success, to detect potential concussions. However, in other sport leagues, there is even less monitoring, and the chances of having undiagnosed concussions and head injuries are even higher. Unfortunately, these undiagnosed head injuries subject the athletes to the possibility of even greater injuries as they continue playing while delaying or foregoing treatment.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for a helmet with visual shock indicator is disclosed. A visual shock indicator apparatus includes a helmet, a facemask secured to the helmet, and a mounting element secured to the helmet. The mounting element has a mounting region disposed between a pair of attachment points used to secure the facemask to the helmet. A retainer assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the mounting element within the mounting region. The retainer assembly includes a shock indicator configured to provide a visual indication of receipt of a predetermined level of a shock event.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a visual shock indicator apparatus includes a helmet, a facemask secured to the helmet over a face opening of the helmet via a pair of attachment points, and a mounting region disposed between the attachment points. A retainer assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the mounting region and has a shock indicator configured to provide a visual indication of receipt of a predetermined level of a shock event.

According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a visual shock indicator apparatus includes a helmet having a face opening, and a mounting element located above the face opening and configured to secure a portion of a facemask over the face opening via a pair of spaced-apart attachment points. The mounting element has a mounting region disposed between the attachment points having a plurality of sidewalls forming a wedge-shaped receiving area. A retainer assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the mounting region within the wedge-shaped receiving area where the retainer assembly includes a shock indicator configured to provide a visual indication of receipt of a predetermined level of a shock event. A forward-facing surface of the retainer assembly is disposed below a forward-facing surface of the attachment points.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present application, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a view of an embodiment of a helmet with visual shock indicator according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a view of another embodiment of a helmet with visual shock indicator according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exploded assembly view of an embodiment of a mounting element and a retainer assembly depicted in FIG. 2 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a partial section view of the helmet of FIG. 2 according to the present disclosure taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is diagram illustrating another embodiment of a retainer assembly according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a view of yet another embodiment of a helmet with visual shock indicator according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device and technique for a helmet with visual shock indicator. According to one embodiment, a visual shock indicator apparatus includes a helmet, a facemask secured to the helmet, and a mounting element secured to the helmet. The mounting element has a mounting region disposed between a pair of attachment points used to secure the facemask to the helmet. A retainer assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the mounting element within the mounting region. The retainer assembly includes a shock indicator configured to provide a visual indication of receipt of a predetermined level of a shock event. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a passive impact or shock indicator that can be used as part of a helmet. Embodiments of the present invention provide a visual indication of impact or shock receipt of at least a predetermined magnitude and is positioned or located on the helmet in a readily visible location (e.g., readily visible to coaches, referees, other players, medical personnel, etc.) while also being protected and/or shielded from a direct impact, thereby reducing or eliminating damage to the indicator that may otherwise result from normal use of the helmet during a corresponding activity.

With reference now to the Figures and in particular with reference to FIG. 1, a helmet 10 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, helmet 10 is a football helmet; however, it should be understood that other types of helmets and/or headgear may also be utilized (e.g., a motorcycle helmet, bicycle helmet, baseball helmet, hockey helmet, lacrosse helmet, etc.). For example, helmet 10 can be essentially any protective cover intended to go over at least part of a user's head and provide protection in case of an impact (e.g., a shell of a hard plastic or other type of material). In the illustrated embodiment, helmet 10 includes an outer shell 12, interior shock absorbers or pads 14, and a facemask 16. An example of a commercially available football helmet is the VENGEANCE VTD II helmet from Schutt.

As shown in FIG. 1, facemask 16 includes an upper crossbar 18. Upper crossbar 18 is connected to a forward-facing, upper portion of shell 12 (e.g., above a wearer's forehead area) using a mounting element 20. In the illustrated embodiment, mounting element 20 comprises a molded bracket 22 with spaced-apart attachment points 24 for securing connector 20 to shell 12 using fasteners 26 (e.g., bolts or another type of fastener). However, it should be understood that mounting element 20 may be otherwise attached to shell 12 (e.g., braces, bands, clasps, links, straps and clamps). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, attachment points 24 are formed being thicker in cross-section and/or in a raised position of bracket 22 (as compared to a thinner, extender section 28 extending between attachment points 24). Attachment points 24 include a threaded orifice for receiving fasteners 26. Attachment points 24 are formed having a raised and/or thicker cross-section in order to give sufficient rigidity to the section of bracket 22 where fasteners 26 connect mounting element 20 to shell 12. In order to enable some flexibility of mounting element 20, extender section 28 between attachment points 24 is thinner than attachment points 24. Mounting element 20 enables facemask 16 to be easily mounted on or removed from shell 12. Mounting element 20 also enables a certain amount of resilience to absorb shocks that might be imposed on facemask 16 so that these shocks do not tend to stress helmet 10 beyond a permissible amount because of the flexing of extender section 28.

As can be noted in FIG. 1, raised attachment points 24 and thinner extender section 28 form a recessed area 30 in mounting element 20 that is protected and/or shielded from many different kinds of direct impacts because of the adjacent raised attachment points 24 and/or the location of adjacent crossbar 18.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a shock indicator 40 is located on extender section 28 within recessed area 30. Shock indicator 40 may be secured to mounting element 20 in a variety of manners (e.g., adhesives, hook and loop, pressure fit, slots, and so forth). Shock indicator 40 is configured to visually display an indication that the indicator 40 (or the body to which it is attached) has received a shock or impact of at least a particular magnitude or level (e.g., causing a color change, actuation of a light emitting diode (LED), or other visible indication). In some embodiments, shock indicator 40 has a height and profile that is less than the height of elevated, adjacent attachment points 24 such that shock indicator 40 is shielded and/or protected from being subjected to a direct hit/impact by another helmet or body (e.g., crossbar 18 and/or attachment points 24 will be impacted and not shock indicator 40). For example, using a helmet 10 provided by Schutt, the height of elevated attachment points 24 above the top surface of extender section 28 is about 0.25 inches. Shock indicator 40 depicted in FIG. 1 is a ShockWatch, Inc. model number 47MCD50G (having a height of about 0.125 inches). Accordingly, shock indicator 40 is lower than elevated attachment points 24 and is substantially protected from direct impact by attachment points 24 and/or crossbar 18. It should be understood that other types of shock indicators 40 may also be used (e.g., indicators that are small enough to be placed on the facemask 16 of helmet 10 and will also be activated by a shock of a magnitude of interest to those monitoring the wearer thereof for a possible concussion) such as the Type 30 tube and Type 45/45 tube from ShockWatch, Inc. The hock indicator 40 may be any type of impact or shock detection and indication device (e.g., capillary tube design with fluid that either changes color or causes another material to change color, accelerometer, piezoelectric indicator, etc.).

In the illustrated embodiment, attachment points 24 are part of a unitary mounting element 20 having oppositely directed hook elements 44 for gripping and/or otherwise securing crossbar 18. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the elevated attachment points 24 may be separate components (e.g., two U-shaped flexible straps going around crossbar 18) such as found on the SPORTS DNA PRO+ model helmet from Schutt. In this case, the shock indicator 40 can be placed between the two attachment points 24 (e.g., either directly on shell 12 or on an installed extender section 28 extending therebetween).

Because of size, cost and ease of use, it may be desirable to use colored dye shock indicators 40 wherein the colored dye is held within a capillary tube until a sufficient shock has been introduced (e.g. visible colored dye shock indicators such as those available from ShockWatch, Inc. headquartered in Dallas, Tex.). However, in other embodiments, shock indicator 40 can be any of a number of different types of shock indicators (e.g., piezo sensors, gyroscopes, or micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) sensors such as those used in smart phones and game controllers or other sensors to measure linear acceleration, rotation, etc.) An example of a commercially available shock indicator is the ADXL375 available from Analog Devices Inc.

The placement of shock indicator 40 onto a forward-facing portion of helmet 10 above a wearer's face (e.g., near the facemask 16 above a face opening 42 of the shell 12) enables shock indicator 40 to experience roughly the same level of shock that a person's head in helmet 10 would also be expected to experience while also providing greater viewability of the shock indicator 40. Accordingly, the disclosed system discussed herein may serve as a “continue-to-play” decision data point. If the visible shock indicator 40 on the crown of the player's helmet 10 has turned a bright red, it will be readily apparent that the player has experienced a potentially dangerous shock.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a view of another embodiment of helmet 10 with visual shock indicator according to the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exploded assembly view of an embodiment of a mounting element 50 and a retainer assembly 52 depicted in FIG. 2 according to the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a partial section view of the helmet 10 of FIG. 2 according to the present disclosure taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, mounting element 50 is configured having a pair of raised attachment points 54 (e.g., similar to attachment points 24 of FIG. 1) for securing mounting element 50 to shell 12 (e.g., via fasteners 26). However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, mounting element 50 may be formed with smaller raised areas or even without raised areas for attachment points 54 (e.g., formed as a more flat or planar plate-like element (perhaps with some curvature to conform to the shape of shell 12) where attachment points 54 are used to secure another element to shell 12 (e.g., U-shaped straps for attaching facemask 16 to shell 12) where these other elements (alone or in combination) form the raised attachment points 54. As depicted in FIG. 2, mounting element 50 includes a pair of oppositely directed hook elements 56 for receiving upper crossbar 18 therein for securing at least a portion of facemask 16 to helmet 10. However, it should be understood that instead of hook elements 56, crossbar 18 may be secured to shell 12 using a pair of flexible U-shaped straps or other type of attachment device. Similar to FIG. 1, attachment points 54 are formed having an increased height and/or thickness relative to an extender section 58 of mounting element 50 extending between attachment points 54. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, fasteners may be used to secure mounting element 50 to helmet 10. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, mounting element 50 includes a mounting region 60 for releasably securing retainer assembly 52 thereto. As will be described in greater detail below, retainer assembly 52 includes one or more shock indicators 62 for visually indicating receipt of a shock event of a predetermined magnitude or level.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, mounting element 50 includes a plurality of elevated sidewalls 64 forming a recessed receiving area 66. In the illustrated embodiment, sidewalls 64 are formed at a slight outwardly-directed angle to form a wedge-shaped receiving area 66 (e.g., a rectangular trapezoidal trough) for receiving a complementary-shaped retainer assembly 52 (e.g., assembly 52 having sidewalls 68 formed at a slight inwardly-directed angle to form a geometrically complementary rectangular trapezoidal trough). Retainer assembly 52 is releasably secured within receiving area 66 using fasteners, adhesive, hook and loop, or other type of securing mechanism. In some embodiments, as best depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, receiving area 66 is formed with a slightly elevated cross member 70 to enable a threaded element 72 to be mounted on a rearwardly-facing surface of mounting element 50 to facilitate the releasable attachment of retainer assembly 52 within receiving area 66 via a threaded element or screw 74.

In FIGS. 2-4, each sidewall 64 includes a notch 76 such that at least a portion of retainer assembly 52 is exposed within notches 76 when retainer assembly 52 is disposed within receiving area 66 to facilitate the removal of retainer assembly 52 from mounting element 50. For example, to enable at least a portion of retainer assembly 52 to be grasped and pulled outwardly from receiving area 66. In the illustrated embodiment, each sidewall 64 includes a single notch 76; however, a greater or fewer quantity of notches 76 may be used (e.g., formed only in opposing sidewalls 64 (e.g., upper/lower or right/left sides) or a single notch 76 in only one sidewall 64). In the illustrated embodiment, mounting region 60 is formed by four rectangularly-oriented sidewalls 64; however, it should be understood that a greater or fewer quantity of sidewalls 64 may be used to produce a desired shape of receiving area 66 (e.g., triangular, circular, etc.).

As best depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, retainer assembly 52 includes a transparent carrier 80 with one or more shock indicators 62 secured thereto. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, carrier 80 includes sidewalls 68 formed geometrically complementary to sidewalls 64 of receiving area 66 such that retainer assembly 52 may be mounted within receiving area 66 where sidewalls 68 are in contact with sidewalls 64. Mounting region 60 and retainer assembly 52 are configured such that and outwardly or forward-facing surface 82 of carrier 80 is located flush with or slightly below the upward surfaces of sidewalls 64 to prevent any edges/portions of carrier 80 from being exposed (e.g., except in areas of notches 76). In the illustrated embodiment, carrier 80 includes two oppositely disposed cylindrical openings 84 each for receiving a single cylindrical or tube-shaped shop indicator 62 therein. For sample, shock indicators 62 may be slid into respective openings 84 (secured therein by friction, adhesive or otherwise) such that carrier 80 and shock indicators 62 form a unitary component that may be secured to or removed from mounting element 50. In this embodiment, two shock indicators 62 are depicted to provide omnidirectional impact detection and visual indication. However, it should be understood that a greater or fewer quantity of shock indicators 62 may be used that provide the desired directional and magnitude level of impact detection desired. In the illustrated embodiment, carrier 80 includes a recessed area 86 to accommodate the position of cross member 70 within receiving area 66.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of retainer assembly 52 in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, instead of cylindrical openings 84 (FIG. 3), carrier 80 includes one or more recesses 90 disposed on a side of carrier facing receiving area 66 each for receiving a respective shock indicator 62. Shock indicators 62 may reside loosely in recesses 90, may be secured in recesses 90 by press-fit or frictional means, or may be secured therein via adhesive, a potting compound, or otherwise. In operation, securing of retainer assembly 52 to mounting element 50 retains shock indicators 62 in place while also enabling a view of shock indicators 62 via the transparent carrier 80.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a view of yet another embodiment of helmet 10 with visual shock indicator according to the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, mounting region 60 (e.g., sidewalls 64 forming receiving area 66) are formed directly into shell 12 (e.g., omitting a separate mounting element 50 component). In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of U-shaped, flexible straps 94 are used to secure crossbar 18 to shell 12. However, it should be understood that an upper portion of facemask 16 may be otherwise secured to shell 12. In this embodiment, mounting region 60 is located between straps 94 and slightly above crossbar 18 such that retainer assembly 52 is located below adjacent surfaces of the straps 94 and crossbar 18 to shield and/or protect retainer assembly 52 from receiving a direct impact (e.g., from another wearer's helmet).

Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus that provides a passive impact or shock indicator that can be used as part of a helmet. Embodiments of the present invention provide a visual indication of impact or shock receipt of at least a predetermined magnitude and is positioned or located on the outside or exterior of helmet in a readily visible location (e.g., readily visible to coaches, referees, other players, medical personnel, etc.) while also being protected and/or shielded from a direct impact, thereby reducing or eliminating damage to the indicator that may otherwise result from normal use of the helmet during a corresponding activity. For example, the shock indicator is placed and/or positioned on a forward-facing surface of the helmet to provide maximum viewability of the indicator while also positioning the indicator adjacent standard and/or ordinary parts/components of the helmet having elevated surfaces to shield the indicator from direct contact (e.g., from another helmet). The indicator is also readily replaceable. For example, if the indicator indicates that a particular magnitude of a shock event has been experienced, the wearer may undergo a concussion protocol or other type of medical examination. If the results of that analysis indicate that the wearer can continue playing, the indicator can be readily replaced with a new indicator (e.g., by replacing retainer assembly 52) to quickly return the helmet to a “like new” or “sense ready” condition.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A visual shock indicator apparatus, comprising: a helmet; a facemask secured to the helmet; a mounting element secured to the helmet, the mounting element having a mounting region disposed between a pair of attachment points used to secure the facemask to the helmet; and a retainer assembly configured to be removably coupled to the mounting element within the mounting region, the retainer assembly including a shock indicator configured to provide a visual indication of receipt of a predetermined level of a shock event.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting region comprises a wedge-shaped mounting region configured to receive a complementary wedge-shaped retainer assembly.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting element is configured to secure at least a portion of the facemask to the helmet.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a forward-facing surface of the retainer assembly is disposed at a height less than a forward-facing height of the attachment points.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting region is located above a face opening of the helmet.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer assembly comprises a cylindrical opening for receiving a cylindrically-shaped shock indicator.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer assembly comprises: a transparent carrier; and the shock indicator secured to the carrier.
 8. A visual shock indicator apparatus, comprising: a helmet; a facemask secured to the helmet over a face opening of the helmet via a pair of attachment points; a mounting region disposed between the attachment points; and a retainer assembly configured to be removably coupled to the mounting region, the retainer assembly including a shock indicator configured to provide a visual indication of receipt of a predetermined level of a shock event.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mounting region is formed in the helmet.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mounting region is formed in a mounting element secured to the helmet via the attachment points.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a forward-facing surface of the retainer assembly is disposed at a height less than a forward-facing height of the attachment points.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the retainer assembly comprises a cylindrical opening for receiving a cylindrically-shaped shock indicator.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mounting region comprises a wedge-shaped mounting region configured to receive a complementary wedge-shaped retainer assembly.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the retainer assembly comprises: a transparent carrier; and the shock indicator secured to the carrier such that the shock indicator is disposed between a forward-facing wall of the carrier and the helmet.
 15. A visual shock indicator apparatus, comprising: a helmet having a face opening; a mounting element located above the face opening and configured to secure a portion of a facemask over the face opening via a pair of spaced-apart attachment points, the mounting element having a mounting region disposed between the attachment points, the mounting region including a plurality of sidewalls forming a wedge-shaped receiving area; and a retainer assembly configured to be removably coupled to the mounting region within the wedge-shaped receiving area, the retainer assembly including a shock indicator configured to provide a visual indication of receipt of a predetermined level of a shock event, and wherein a forward-facing surface of the retainer assembly is disposed below a forward-facing surface of the attachment points.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the retainer assembly comprises a cylindrical opening for receiving a cylindrically-shaped shock indicator.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the retainer assembly comprises: a transparent carrier; and the shock indicator secured to the carrier such that the shock indicator is disposed between a forward-facing wall of the carrier and the helmet.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the retainer assembly comprises a transparent carrier having a plurality of sidewalls configured at an angle complementary to the sidewalls of the receiving area.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one of the sidewalls includes a notch configured to expose at least a portion of a sidewall of the retainer assembly to facilitate removal of the retainer assembly from the receiving area.
 20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the retainer assembly is located above an upper crossbar of the facemask. 